Exposure to a number of drugs or chemicals can result in cataract development.
Some exposures require high doses and/or prolonged therapy.
|
Drug or Chemical
|
Type of Cataract
|
|
alcohol
|
age-related
|
|
allopurinol (gout medications)
|
age-related
|
|
amiodarone
|
anterior subcapsular
|
|
anticholinesterase agents
|
anterior subcapsular
|
|
busulfan
|
posterior subcapsular
|
|
chloroquine
|
posterior subcapsular (white flaky)
|
|
chlorpromazine
|
stellate opacities; anterior polar; brownish-yellow granules in anterior capsule
|
|
cigarette smoking
|
nuclear
|
|
copper
|
anterior capsular and subcapsular deposits, sunflower-type
|
|
corticosteroids
|
posterior subcapsular
|
|
deferoxamine mesylate
|
|
|
ergot
|
|
|
gold
|
anterior capsular deposits
|
|
hypocalcemia, adult
|
anterior and/or posterior subcapsular
|
|
hypocalcemia, pediatric
|
lamellar
|
|
iron
|
brownish discoloration
|
|
lead
|
|
|
Quetiapine fumarate (antipsychotic)
|
|
|
trinitrotoluene
|
|
where:
• Desferoxamine-related cataracts need to be distinguished from cataracts caused by the metal being chelated.
Differential diagnosis:
(1) cataracts associated with drug-induced renal failure
(2) cataracts associated with drug-induced glaucoma
(3) cataracts associated with gout
(4) cataracts due to other causes
